IMSA courts support for women-led initiatives
The President of the Women Intelligentsia for Service and Excellence (WISE) Network, Dr Genevieve Duncan-Obuobi, has underscored the need for a concerted effort to boost women-led initiatives to boost national development.
According to her, such initiatives were critical catalysts in the creation of sustainable economic development for nations and should not be downplayed.
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“The business support that the WISE Network offers its members is critical for propelling and empowering more women to live fulfilled lives and impact society with their knowledge,” she intimated.
“It is in keeping with this commitment that we are here to throw our full weight behind Fafape and the IMSA initiative to further amplify the immense potential that this project has for society and the nation as a whole,” Dr Duncan-Obuobi continued.
Fair
She made this known at the inaugural edition of the International Mushrooms and Spices Fair (IMSA) in Accra.
The event, which was on the theme “Creating Market Opportunities for Sustainable Development”, took place at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra.
The fair sought to provide a platform for participants to trade, network and obtain relevant information about new trends in the mushroom and spices value chain.
In attendance were some dignitaries, including the Member of Parliament for Madina, M Francis-Xavier Sosu, and the Municipal Chief Executive of the Adenta Municipal Assembly, Mr Daniel Nii-Noi Adumuah.
There was representation from various government ministries and agencies, as well as players along the mushroom and local spice production value chain.
The Executive Director of IMSA, Mrs Fafape Ama Foe, highlighted the immense potential that the mushroom and spices production industry held for the economic gains of the nation, especially with respect to employment creation for the women and youth, as well as in export earnings.
“The projected statistical outlook as regards the demand for mushrooms and authentic local spices is indicative of the fact that the market for spices globally is poised for exponential growth – growth fuelled by an increasing demand for ready-to-use spice mixes as a convenient option in food service delivery and the willingness of prospective buyers to pay a premium for new flavours and authentic ethnic tastes,” she noted.
“It has become imperative to celebrate the achievement of the industry players and throw more light on the challenges facing us. IMSA, we believe, offers an apt forum for this discourse,” Mrs Foe stressed.